Macbeth by Shakespeare: Lady Macbeth Coursework

“Lady Macbeth is the realdriving force behind themurder of Duncan.”

Discuss this statement and decidewhether or not you agree.

Introduction

The play was written in 1606 for King James 1st.The story of ‘Macbeth’ is based on true facts.Banquo was an ancestor of James 1st and wasinvolved in the murder of King Duncan.

Shakespeare's adaptation of events alters thefacts, to make Banquo a loyal servant and innocentvictim to please James 1st.

Shakespeare wrote about the world he knew, ahighly superstitious time. The play reflects theinterests of the King and society. James 1st wasvery interested in witchcraft and this is one ofthe main themes of Macbeth.

The play is a moral lesson. In Shakespeare’s timethe murder of a King was the greatest of allcrimes as Kings were believed to be appointed byGod and therefore rebellion against a true King isrebellion against God. Macbeth is suitablypunished for his crime which would please James1st.

The play is a tragedy. A tragedy was written toinstruct as well as entertain. The play contains allthe elements of a murder tale, suspense andexcitement but at a deeper level the audience areshown that crime doesn’t pay.

The audience can witness how greed can destroythe most noble character. Macbeth is a good andloyal soldier at the beginning of the play andwithout the promptings of his wife and thewitches we should question whether he would havecommitted such awful crimes. In doing so, he lostlove, friendship and eventually paid with his life.

You should choose 2-3 of the 6 points covered sofar but you MUST demonstrate an understandingof how Shakespeare showed an awareness of hisaudience – who were deeply superstitious – andhow this would affect the content of the play andhow the content of the play would appeal to a moremodern audience?

It is important that you put all this informationinto your OWN words.

Consider images used in the play – thesupernatural for instance – and themes in the playas well.

Refer to the structure of the play as well. Is itrelevant that we meet the witches before we meetthe character of Macbeth? What might thisreveal about their role and the themes of theplay?

Compare Lady Macbeth’s actions in the earlierscenes of the play with those from later on in theplay. Use this to comment on what Shakespearemight be suggesting about the relationshipbetween Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. How doeshe demonstrate this through the structure of theplay? (Remember how she dies.)

Act 1 Scene 5

Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth.

Consider what Macbeth’s purpose for writing thisletter was. What does this reveal about his role inthe murder?

A soliloquy lets the audience see the character’sthoughts and feelings. Lady Macbeth’s soliloquyreveals her own ambitions and reveals Macbeth’scharacter. What do we learn about both of themfrom this scene?

“yet do I fear thy nature,

It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness

To catch the nearest way” (Act 1 scene 5 lines 16-18)

What does Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal about hercharacter, her plans for

Macbeth and her ambitions?

“Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear

And chastise with the valour of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round”

(Act 1 scene 5 lines 25-28)

Further into the scene Lady Macbeth learns thatDuncan will stay the night in the castle, givingthem the opportunity to put their deadly plan intoaction.

Her further soliloquy is very revealing about hercharacter,

“Come you spirits

That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex mehere,

And fill me from the crown to toe top full

Of direst cruelty;”

(Act 1 scene 5 lines 40-43)

The theme of supernatural which runs through theplay is evident in this scene. What references aremade to supernatural forces?

How would these have affected Shakespeare’saudience and how do they affect a modernaudience? Why might Shakespeare have includedthese references?

The image of blood is also a recurrent image in theplay,

“make thick my blood” Act 1 scene 5 line 43)

Milk is once again referred to as a symbol ofhumanity and human kindness.

When is the image of milk used in the scenes youhave studied?

What does it represent?

What does it reveal about the characters of LadyMacbeth and Macbeth?

“Come to my woman's breasts

And take my milk for gall.” Act 1 scene 5 lines47-48)

Images of dark / light are referred to in thisscene:

“come thick night,

And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,

That my keen knife see not the wound itmakes,

Nor Heaven peep through the blanket of thedark,

To cry, ‘Hold, hold’ ” Act 1 scene 5 lines 49-54)

This image is constantly referred to, to create thesense of evil that is always present in the play.

The theme of ambition is also evident in thisscene. The theme recurs throughout the play.

When are we aware of Lady Macbeth’s andMacbeth’s ambitions? What does this revealabout their characters?

“Thy letters have transported me beyond

This ignorant present, and I feel now

The future in the instant.” (Act 1 scene 5 lines 56-58)

Lady Macbeth instructs her husband to deceivetheir guests.

“look like the innocent flower,

But be the serpent under’t”Act1 scene5 lines64-65)

What does this image bring to the mind of thereader?

What would this suggest about the character ofLady Macbeth?

Why would Shakespeare have used such imagery?What would this reveal about his audience?

Act 1 Scene 7

Macbeth is reluctant to commit the murder,

“We will proceed no further in this business.”

Lady Macbeth’s angry response clearly refers toto the ever present theme of ambition.

“Was the hope drunk

Wherein you dress’d yourself?” (Act 1 scene 7 lines 35-36)

She mocks her husband’s lack of courage and in achilling image declares she would do anything ifshe had made a promise to Macbeth. What doesthis show about her character?

“I would, while it was smiling in my face,

Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums

And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn

As you have done to this.” (Act 1 Scene 7 lines 56-59)

Consider the effect this imagery has on theaudience?

 What does this reveal about Lady Macbeth’scharacter?

Why is this image so shocking?

What effect does this speech have on Macbeth?

“I’m bent………..terrible feat”

Act 2 Scene 2 - The murder.

What is Lady Macbeth’s role in the murder?

“had he not resembled … I’d have done it”

What does this show about her personality?

How does she respond to Macbeth’s fears andguilt?

 What does this reveal about her character?

Conclusion

Refer back to the question. Do you think LadyMacbeth was the real driving force behind themurder of Duncan?

Bear in mind that Macbeth originally felt jealousand evil when he found out that Malcolm wouldsucceed the King,

“Stars, hide your fires,

Let not light see my black and deep desires”

What does this reveal about Macbeth and doesthis make you reconsider Lady Macbeth’s influenceover her husband?

Do you feel sorry for Lady Macbeth?

(Remember that she couldn’t cope with herguilt and eventually took her own life andher relationship with her husband, whichwas once very close, fell apart.)

What moral lessons might you see in thestory of Macbeth?